Maternity & Paternity Pay for Junior Doctors

As an NHS worker, you will be entitled to a certain degree of maternity or paternity leave. This guide explains your entitlements and how to plan financially for starting a family as a junior doctor.

The NHS offers enhanced family leave benefits that are often better than the statutory minimums.

Maternity Leave

All pregnant employees are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave regardless of how long they have worked for the NHS. You must take a minimum of 2 weeks leave after childbirth.

Maternity Pay - Based on Service Length

If you have 12+ months continuous NHS service:

  • 8 weeks at full pay
  • 18 weeks at half pay
  • 13 weeks at Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) or Maternity Allowance (MA)
  • 13 weeks unpaid leave

If you have 26+ weeks continuous service (but less than 12 months):

  • 6 weeks at 90% of your usual pay
  • 33 weeks at the flat-rate SMP (£184.03 per week in 2024-25)
  • 13 weeks unpaid leave

Important: These figures are current for 2024-25. SMP rates are reviewed annually and usually increase in April.

Paternity Leave

You are entitled to 2 weeks of paternity leave after the birth or adoption of your child. You must have worked continuously for 26 weeks prior to the 15th week before the baby's due date.

Paternity Pay

  • If employed for 12+ months: Full pay for 2 weeks
  • If employed for 26+ weeks (but less than 12 months): Statutory paternity pay rate

Shared Parental Leave (SPL)

This allows you and your partner to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between you in the first year after your child arrives. This must be taken within the first year.

  • Pay rates follow the same structure as maternity leave
  • Both parents must meet eligibility criteria
  • Requires advance notice and planning

Key Eligibility Criteria

For Enhanced NHS Pay:

  • Continuous NHS service: Must have worked continuously for the NHS (not just your current trust)
  • 12-month requirement: Service length determines your pay entitlement
  • Timing: Leave must be taken within specific timeframes after birth/adoption

Important Notes:

  • Service with different NHS trusts usually counts as continuous
  • Career breaks may affect continuity - check with HR
  • Adoption leave follows similar patterns to maternity leave
  • You may be able to work during some of your maternity leave (keeping in touch days)

Financial Planning

Understanding the income reduction during family leave is crucial for financial planning:

Planning Tip: Start saving early if you're planning a family. Your income will be significantly reduced during leave, especially in later months.

What to Consider:

  • Income reduction: Plan for substantial drops in later months of leave
  • Childcare costs: Consider nursery costs when returning to work
  • Pension contributions: Check how leave affects your NHS pension
  • Student loan repayments: These may pause if income falls below thresholds

Next Steps

When planning for family leave:

  • Calculate your entitlement: Use the government's online calculators at gov.uk
  • Speak to HR: Confirm your specific entitlements with your trust
  • Plan your finances: Budget for the income reduction during leave
  • Consider timing: Plan leave around rotations and training requirements
  • Understand your rights: You cannot be dismissed for taking maternity/paternity leave

Disclaimer: This information is for guidance only. Always verify current rates and entitlements with your HR department and official government sources.

Related Resources